June 16, 2010
Elder abuse involves not only doing something that results in harm or puts a helpless elderly person at risk of harm, but also failing to do something to prevent harm, such as neglecting or deserting an older person for whom one is responsible.
Throughout the world, abuse and neglect of older adults remains under-recognized or treated as an unspoken problem; yet every year, an estimated 2.1 million older Americans are victims of physical, psychological, or other forms of abuse and neglect, according to the American Psychological Association’s Office on Aging. Recent research suggests that elders who have been abused tend to die earlier than those who are not abused, even in the absence of chronic conditions or life threatening disease. Follow this link to learn how to prevent elder neglect and abuse.